On March 31, 2025, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remain closed to observe Eid al-Fitr, one of the most significant Islamic festivals that marks the end of Ramadan. This holiday closure affects all segments of the stock market, including equities, derivatives, currency markets, securities lending and borrowing (SLB), and electronic gold receipts (EGR). Market participants are advised to plan their trades accordingly as trading will resume on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, operating from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. IST.
Eid al-Fitr celebrations begin after the sighting of the crescent moon, and this year, the moon was sighted on the evening of March 30, confirming that the festival would be celebrated on March 31. The day is marked by communal prayers, feasting, and giving to charity, making it a joyous occasion for Muslims across India.
The holiday on March 31 follows a regular weekend closure on March 29 and 30, providing traders and investors with an extended break to reassess their portfolios. In addition to Eid al-Fitr, the stock market will observe several other holidays in 2025, including:
- April 10 (Thursday): Shri Mahavir Jayanti
- April 14 (Monday): Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti
- April 18 (Friday): Good Friday
- May 1 (Thursday): Maharashtra Day
- August 15 (Friday): Independence Day
- August 27 (Wednesday): Ganesh Chaturthi
- October 2 (Thursday): Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti/Dussehra
- October 21 (Tuesday): Diwali Laxmi Pujan
- October 22 (Wednesday): Diwali Balipratipada
- November 5 (Wednesday): Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev
- December 25 (Thursday): Christmas
Regular trading hours for the Indian stock market are from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the market remains closed on weekends and public holidays. The official holiday calendar for 2025 indicates a total of 14 market holidays throughout the year.
In the lead-up to the holiday, the Indian stock market experienced fluctuations. On March 28, 2025, the final trading session of the fiscal year closed in negative territory. The 30-share Sensex fell by 191.51 points, or 0.25 percent, settling at 77,414.92. Similarly, the NSE Nifty50 ended the day lower at 23,519.35, down 72.60 points, or 0.31 percent, from its previous close. Despite these losses, both indices finished the fiscal year with gains of nearly 5 percent.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the BSE benchmark index saw an increase of 3,763.57 points, representing a 5.10 percent rise, while the NSE Nifty advanced by 1,192.45 points, marking a 5.34 percent growth. The total market capitalization of companies listed on the BSE expanded significantly, reaching Rs 4,12,87,646.50 crore (approximately USD 4.82 trillion) in FY25, showing an increase of Rs 25,90,546.73 crore.
Investors on Dalal Street have been navigating a dynamic market environment, with notable fluctuations throughout FY25. The Nifty Midcap100 and Nifty Smallcap100 indices also demonstrated growth, increasing by 5.4 percent and 7.48 percent, respectively, for the fiscal year.
As the market closes for Eid al-Fitr, traders are encouraged to take this time to reflect on their investment strategies and prepare for trading when the market resumes. The upcoming holidays in April will provide further opportunities for market participants to adjust their positions and strategies.
In summary, with the stock market closed on March 31, 2025, for Eid al-Fitr, traders will have a chance to celebrate the festival while also preparing for the next trading session. The market's performance in the fiscal year has been positive overall, with significant gains recorded, despite the recent downturn. As the market reopens on April 1, participants will be keen to see how the indices respond following this extended break.
